Wednesday, April 19, 2006

I Heart Russ Feingold (D-WI)

Finally, a pol who isn't afraid to speak openly and unapologetically about his values. Most GLBT people understand politicians' need for "cover" as they work to change the tide of discrimination against gay families. But it gets tiresome listening to senators hem and haw around the truth and the needs of our families. That's why it's so nice to hear a senator essentially say, "Yes I support protection for all families, why don't you?"

WASHINGTON - Sen. Russ Feingold said Tuesday he supports giving gays and lesbians the right to marry, becoming the fourth U.S. senator to take that position, according to a gay-rights advocacy group.

Feingold, D-Wis., issued a statement saying he was asked about his views on the subject at a listening session with constituents Sunday night in Kenosha, Wis.

In an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press, he said he decided to express his support for gay marriage at the session in response to what he called a "mean-spirited" Wisconsin constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions, which will appear on the state ballot in November.

"I will be voting against the harsh amendment that's been proposed in Wisconsin, and I thought it was an appropriate occasion to indicate my feeling that if two people care enough about each other to get married, that it probably is a positive thing for society," he said.

"Gay and lesbian people in our country are fighting a mean-spirited movement to harm them and to discriminate against them," he added. "I stand with them against that movement, and I'm proud to stand with them."...

Feingold said presidential politics had nothing to do with his position on gay rights.

"I recognize that it will have some national implications as well, but what caused me to do it at this time had to do with the Wisconsin proposal that I oppose," he said....

"This kind of statement is something we have been yearning for - at long last we have a fair-minded progressive leader taking an ethical and moral stance," Foreman said. "No hair splitting, no waffling, no equivocating."...

Feingold said he believes the country will one day support gay marriage, even in the most conservative states.

"It may take some time, but I think in the end the American people will see this as a human right that no one should interfere with," he said.

Why can't this man be our president? I don't think he's interested in running, but a boy can dream can't he?

3 Comments:

Troy, I say insted of Canada, let's all find a place in Wisconsin. I know a great place in the northwoods! Good lakes, great snowmobiling, awesome politics and, last but not least, CHEESE...tell John to get the goat cheese fryer warmed up!!